more-in The State government’s plans to issue notification for the District Selection Committee (DSC) examination to fill teacher posts at one go across the State has apparently impacted the recruitment of teachers in schools in tribal areas. As many as 996 teacher posts have been lying vacant in tribal schools in the State since long. The government has not filled vacancies in school assistant posts — mathematics, physical science, natural science, social, English, Telugu, Hindi, physical education, craft/art, and dance/music. In fact, filling of vacancies is identified as one of the major challenges by the Tribal Welfare Department. The government has not acted though proposals were sent by the department to conduct special DSC, saying that the all vacancies in tribal and non-tribal area schools would be filled simulatneously. E. Godavari worst hit The Government Primary Schools (GPS) and Ashram schools are the worst hit. As many as 268 Secondary Grade Teacher (SGT) posts in Ashram schools and 389 posts in the GPS are to be filled. East Godavari district tops with 312vacancies. Also, more than 275 non-tribals are working on deputation in six mandals that would be submerged under the Polavaram project. Most of the tribal teachers, who used to work in those schools, were allotted to Telangana. Subsequently, the government deputed teachers from Rajahmundry and other places to ensure that the schools were not closed for lack of teachers. UTF sees poll angle AP United Teachers Federation (UTF) general secretary P. Babu Reddy says, “There was a provision to conduct special DSC for the tribals. But, the government has set its sights on the elections. Hence, planning it is to conduct a single DSC.” “The government is keen on conducting single DSC. We have sent proposals for recruitment of 996 teacher posts. The Finance Department has to give clearance,” said an official, who did not want to be quoted. Mr. Babu Reddy says that the government could have recruited the teachers and imparted training later even if trained people were not there. There were many such instances in the past, he says. The officials agree that recruitment of teachers for tribal areas was a Herculean task until a few ago as the posts have to be filled by the tribals only. Lack of qualified persons was a major drawback then. “With a spurt in B.Ed colleges, qualified graduates were available. The government is also conducting the TET. So there is no dearth of qualified people,” says an official.

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